Paid sick leave and nonfatal occupational injuries
- PMID: 22720767
- PMCID: PMC3482022
- DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2011.300482
Paid sick leave and nonfatal occupational injuries
Abstract
Objectives: We examined the association between US workers' access to paid sick leave and the incidence of nonfatal occupational injuries from the employer's perspective. We also examined this association in different industries and occupations.
Methods: We developed a theoretical framework to examine the business value of offering paid sick leave. Data from the National Health Interview Survey were used to test the hypothesis that offering paid sick leave is associated with a reduced incidence of occupational injuries. We used data on approximately 38 000 working adults to estimate a multivariate model.
Results: With all other variables held constant, workers with access to paid sick leave were 28% (95% confidence interval = 0.52, 0.99) less likely than workers without access to paid sick leave to be injured. The association between the availability of paid sick leave and the incidence of occupational injuries varied across sectors and occupations, with the greatest differences occurring in high-risk sectors and occupations.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that, similar to other investments in worker safety and health, introducing or expanding paid sick leave programs might help businesses reduce the incidence of nonfatal occupational injuries, particularly in high-risk sectors and occupations.
Figures
Similar articles
-
Decline in the rate of occupational injuries and illnesses following the implementation of a paid sick leave law in Connecticut.Am J Ind Med. 2019 Oct;62(10):859-873. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23028. Epub 2019 Jul 22. Am J Ind Med. 2019. PMID: 31328809
-
The lack of paid sick leave as a barrier to cancer screening and medical care-seeking: results from the National Health Interview Survey.BMC Public Health. 2012 Jul 12;12:520. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-520. BMC Public Health. 2012. PMID: 22788387 Free PMC article.
-
Differences Between U.S. Workers With Asthma by Paid Sick Leave Status: An Analysis of the 2018 National Health Interview Survey.Policy Polit Nurs Pract. 2020 Aug;21(3):164-173. doi: 10.1177/1527154420937659. Epub 2020 Jul 5. Policy Polit Nurs Pract. 2020. PMID: 32623960
-
Is paid sick leave bad for business? A systematic review.Am J Ind Med. 2023 Jun;66(6):429-440. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23469. Epub 2023 Feb 23. Am J Ind Med. 2023. PMID: 36815578 Review.
-
Ensuring a healthy and productive workforce: comparing the generosity of paid sick day and sick leave policies in 22 countries.Int J Health Serv. 2010;40(1):1-22. doi: 10.2190/HS.40.1.a. Int J Health Serv. 2010. PMID: 20198801 Review.
Cited by
-
Paid Leave Mandates and Care for Older Parents.Milbank Q. 2024 Sep;102(3):732-764. doi: 10.1111/1468-0009.12708. Epub 2024 Jun 20. Milbank Q. 2024. PMID: 38899473
-
Assessing the role of social determinants of health in health disparities: The need for data on work.Am J Ind Med. 2024 Feb;67(2):129-142. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23557. Epub 2023 Dec 16. Am J Ind Med. 2024. PMID: 38103002
-
Paid Sick Leave and Self-Reported Depression and Anxiety: Evidence From a Nationally Representative Longitudinal Survey.Am J Prev Med. 2024 Apr;66(4):627-634. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.11.012. Epub 2023 Nov 17. Am J Prev Med. 2024. PMID: 37979622
-
A staffing perspective on barriers to and facilitators of temporary worker safety and health.Am J Ind Med. 2023 Sep;66(9):736-749. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23509. Epub 2023 Jul 10. Am J Ind Med. 2023. PMID: 37428334 Free PMC article.
-
Disparities in Access to Paid Sick Leave During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic.J Occup Environ Med. 2023 May 1;65(5):370-377. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002784. Epub 2023 Jan 8. J Occup Environ Med. 2023. PMID: 36728405 Free PMC article.
References
-
- US Dept of Labor The Family Medical Leave Act. Available at: http://www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp-fmla.htm. Accessed May 17, 2012
-
- Treble J. A Tale of Two Continents: Sickness Absence and the Household Division of Labour in North America and Europe. Cardiff, Wales: University of Wales; 2007
-
- Lovell V. No Time to Be Sick: Why Everyone Suffers When Workers Don’t Have Paid Sick Leave. Washington, DC: Institute for Women’s Policy Research; 2004
-
- Appelbaum E, Milkman R. Leaves that pay: employer and worker experiences with paid family leave in California. Available at: http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/paid-family-leave-1-2011.pdf. Accessed May 17, 2012
-
- Palmer SJ. Care of sick children by parents: a meaningful role. J Adv Nurs. 1993;18(2):185–191 - PubMed
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical